An earthly nurse sits and sings And aye she sings by lily wean Saying, "Little ken I my bairn's father Far less the land where he dwells in" For he came on night to her bed feet And a grumbly guest i'm sure was he Saying, "Here am I thy bairn's father Although I be not comely" "I am a man upon the land I am a silkie on the sea And when I'm far and far frae land My home it is in sule skerrie" And he had ta'en a purse of gold And he had placed it upon her knee Saying, "Give to me my little young son And take thee up thy nurse's fee" "And it shall come to pass on a summer's day When the sun shines bright on every stane I'll come and fetch my little young son And teach him how to swim the faem" "I am a man upon the land I am a silkie on the sea And when I'm far and far frae land My home it is in sule skerrie" "And ye shall marry a gunner good And a right fine gunner I'm sure he'll be And the very first shot that e'er he shoots Will kill both my young son and me" "I am a man upon the land I am a silkie on the sea And when I'm far and far frae land My home it is in sule skerrie"
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